This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
